Great start to the game as they held the Spurs to their lowest scoring first quarter of the season. The Lakers led 40-14 at one point in the first half after a 26-2 run. It was a dominating two-way stretch, where they played errorless ball on one end and actual D on the other.

The Spurs would tie the game up early in the fourth quarter, but the chess match was on. Russell was already sitting, Ingram was sidelined as a precaution after a good first quarter stint, and Luke had Clarkson in the locker room for the fourth after banging knees. Pop kept his starters planted on the bench, pulled in deep bench players to finish the game...and that was that.

Black, Robinson, Metta, Nwaba and Ennis went on a run late in the game to take the W, 102-95.

“Our players’ jobs are to go out there and win,” Luke said. “They did a great job at that tonight. At the end of the day, it’s a lottery anyway, so we’re going to need some luck from the basketball gods. We’re going to keep playing the way we think is best for our team, and we expect our players to go out and compete the way they did tonight every game.”

Let’s hope the basketball gods favor the honest effort the Lakers young guys have been playing to close the season. They had some excellent rotations and communication on D tonight. Tyler Ennis led the team with 19 points and 6 assists in 39 minutes.

“Our defense was awesome,” Luke said. He liked the communication, the physicality and that the Lakers were the aggressors on that end of the floor.

Randle -- -- Close to a double-double, which he can seemingly do in his sleep. There were some good moments on D tonight, which is what I want to see. You could hear him communicate with guys, which has been a problem. But that helped on switches and creating more favorable matchups. He had a strong help D rejection at the rim. He does that kind of things and you say to yourself, why can’t we see that every game? No threes in this one, but he did swish a 17-footer. The Stats: He scored 11 points on 4-10 shooting (0-1 from three, 3-3 from the line) to go with 8 boards, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 block and 3 fouls in 29 minutes. He was a +2. The Action: He missed a drive left. He collapsed the D off the dribble and kicked out to Ennis for a three. He swished a 17-footer on the face-up. He faked Pau out of his shoes in the post with a shoulder fake and scored the layup. He was called for a clear-out with his off arm. He was stripped trying to create in the post. He iso’d and missed the wing jumper. He hit a short one-hander off the screen-roll. Second Half: He missed a jumphook across the lane. He missed a three trailing the break. He rejected Anderson at the rim. He drew FTs trying to finish down the middle of the paint, he made both FTs. He threw an outlet late and out of bounds by about five feet. He took a bounce pass on a baseline cut, was blocked, got it back and scored the And-1, he made the FT. He attacked and hit Metta in the corner for three.

Ingram -- -- He played just one stint in this game before they shut him down. He was killing it in the midrange and finding teammates for scores. Some quality defense, as well. An excellent stint, but a bummer they rested him after that strong start. That made the game a bit less interesting with Russell already sitting. Luke said Brandon wanted to go back in the game, but the tank moves were on. His double-digit scoring streak took the hit tonight, as well, with the shutdown. Love the confidence he’s been playing with lately. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 3-4 shooting (2-2 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 3 assists, 1 block and no fouls in 9:36. He was a +13. The Action: He hit Nance in the lane for a score after drawing a double team against Parker. Not close on a long wing pull-up jumper. He blocked a jumper. He attacked in early offense and scored easily over Leonard for an And-1, he made the FT. Nice D on Aldridge on some switches early. He attacked baseline, spun back the other way and swished the And-1 turnaround jumper, he made the FT. He spun away from the D and swished the elbow pull-up. He pulled down a defensive board from behind a man then chucked the outlet down court to Clarkson for the layup.

Clarkson -- -- He banged knees and couldn’t play in the fourth quarter. He had some good moments of help D tonight. “We just did a good job communicating in the first half,” JC said of the Lakers D. They were playing on a string at times, which has been rare to see. Offensively, he was scratching out points like he usually does. He did have a stretch in the second half where he was turnover prone. Just some sloppy play (including unforced turnovers). As a result he led the team with the 5 turnovers. The Stats: He scored 17 points on 7-17 shooting (1-5 form three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 6 boards, 2 assists, 5 turnovers and 2 fouls in 28 minutes. He was a +1. The Action: He missed a wing pull-up jumper. He missed a three in transition. He missed a turnaround after picking up his dribble in the paint. He scored a layup in transition. He attacked middle off the high screen and scored the floater. He leaked out and Ingram hit him off the long outlet for the layup. He was blocked by Pau on a floater. He blew past a big and scored the lefty layup. He missed a long three on iso up against the shotclock. He attacked baseline with speed and reversed around the D. He hit Randle for a score in the paint. He missed a two-for-one three in early offense. He missed an open wing three after letting a man fly by. Second Half: He was fouled on a short one in the paint when Ennis found him, he made both FTs. His behind-the-back pass was picked off. Nice bounce pass on the break to Brewer for the dunk. Nothing on his cross-court pass and it was easily picked off for a score. He attacked and missed a scoop. He fumbled the ball out of bounds, unforced error. He broke down a bigger man and scored a lefty layup past him. He swished a sideline three. He was blocked on a layup. He missed on a baseline drive. He attacked, picked up his dribble and traveled.

Nance -- -- He had 9 points and 8 boards in the first half, but couldn’t get the double-double. His minutes were held low, so that came to play otherwise he’d have had no problem. Some great work defensively with a couple of blocks and a steal. He was often in the right place at the right time. Aldridge scored 8 points on 4-11 shooting in limited minutes as Nance was getting in some good challenges to make it difficult on iso D sequences. Offensively, he sank a three and hit some floaters or dunked off passes from teammates. A well-rounded game in that regard. He credited Julius and Robinson for getting after the boards, but also mentioned that he’s starting to figure out that part of his game. Good to hear he’s making a more purposeful effort there as that’s a part of his game I think he could be much better at. The Stats: He scored 15 points on 6-9 shooting (1-1 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 9 boards, 1 steal, 2 blocks and no fouls in 20:35. He was a -9. The Action: He crashed the glass and scored the layup for the Lakers first score. He hit a floater in the paint off the Ingram double team. He swished a floater off the Ingram drive and dish. He blocked Pau from behind and pushed out to ignite a break. He swished a corner three on a kickout. He missed a baseline jumper. He swiped a ball in the backcourt, but then couldn’t hold on to a pass shortly later and we gave it back up. Second Half: He banked in a short one off the interior feed. He dunked off the drive and dish from Ennis. He swiped a kickout pass to ignite a break and then was fouled shortly later for FTs, he made both. He missed a wing jumper.

Ennis -- -- Career-high scoring night. With Russell sidelined, Ennis got the start. He scored 11 points on 5-6 shooting to go with 4 assists in the first half. He’d hit a few more shots in the second half, including a big wing three to beat the shotclock. He had a steadying influence on the team. Defensively, great game. He drew a couple moving screen calls for stops and also had some nice reaches to knock balls loose. I liked him in college. He seemed to hit big shots and carry his team then. He’s bounced around since entering the league, but I think he’s finally looking more like that guy we saw back then. Good experience for him. Luke said his confidence in his jumper has been growing. The Stats: He scored 19 points on 8-14 shooting (3-4 from three) to go with 6 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals and 2 fouls in 39 minutes. He was a +4. The Action: He swished a wing pull-up jumper, working off a screen. He swished a wing three on a kickout from Randle. He missed a layup, attacking off the three line. He was fouled while jumping a passing lane and we got the stop. Great help D to poke a ball loose and ignite a break. He drew another illegal screen call to get a stop. His advanced pass was picked off. He missed a short bank (got to hit those). He swished a wing pull-up jumper off the screen. He got a big to switch and hit the floater over him. He got contact to bump Parker off and swished the baseline jumper. Second Half: He attacked from the wing with speed, drew two defenders and fed Nance for the dunk. He missed a three in early offense. He attacked to his right at the end of the quarter but couldn’t convert the runner. He drained a wing three working off the high screen. He attacked to his left off the screen and flipped in the tricky lefty layup for a new career high. He attacked left and missed the righty floater. Great help D reach to knock a ball loose on the perimeter. He drained a huge wing three, just beating the shotclock. He attacked, changed directions on a spin, but missed a layup. He missed a pull-up wing jumper.

Black -- -- This is one of those games where a lot of the little things he does helped in a big way. Some great defensive sequences, nothing flashy usually, just shutting down two-man sequences or getting a timely reach in, or making a tough challenge recovering to his man after helping elsewhere. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-4 shooting (1-1 from the line) to go with 8 boards, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 foul in 27 minutes. He was a +16. The Action: He was blocked on a reverse. Illegal screen, turnover. Second Half: He couldn’t handle a pass and dropped it out of bounds. Great reach on a guard to knock the ball loose and force a turnover on the screen-roll D. Poor defensive position by his man, he quickly attacked on the catch and scored the And-1 layup, he made the FT. He faced up, shook his man, attacked right and scored the layup. He hit Nwaba diving for a dunk.

Brewer -- -- His highlights in this game usually ended with Nwaba finishing on the lob on the break. They may be reluctant shooters from the perimeter, but those two change ends quickly. Brewer did sink a three in those, but he also passed up an open look or two, as well. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-6 shooting (1-2 from three) to go with 1 board, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 steals and 1 foul in 21 minutes. He was a +7. The Action: He missed a short one in the paint. He swished a wing three on a kickout. He lobbed to Nwaba on the break for the throwdown. He coughed up the ball, unforced, for a score the other way. Second Half: He missed a corner three, long. Great hustle back in transition to knock a ball away and save it to a teammate. He dunked off the bounce pass from JC in transition. He attacked a crowd, not wanting to shoot the jumper and missed. He couldn’t finish off the weave play. He fumbled a pass on the break, but threw up the lob to Nwaba for the layup.

Robinson -- -- He played with some physicality out there, which is when he’s at his best. Offensively, he had a couple of his drives sent back, sank a jumper and scratched out some garbage points using that muscle. The Stats: He scored 7 points on 3-8 shooting (1-2 form the line) to go with 7 boards, 2 turnovers, 2 steals and 3 fouls in 19 minutes. He was a +5. The Action: Sweet bounce pass to Black cutting baseline, but Black was blocked. He weaved through the D in transition for a layup. He was blocked on a layup. He was rejected trying to create against Leonard. Second Half: He attacked to his right and was stripped. He cleared out a man with a bit of muscle, grabbed the airball and scored the layup. He was fouled trying to power up in the paint, he made one FT. He couldn’t finish a reverse on an early offense attack. He swished an elbow jumper on iso. He swiped the ball and missed a layup on the break, but Nwaba cleaned it up.

Nwaba -- -- Asked about Nwaba, Metta said the D is already there, he just has to work on the midrange and three ball. He attempted one jumper tonight, I think. Again, it looked a bit flat. He had some finishes at the rim on the break for most of his action. After this one, he heads out to play in the D-League playoffs (a 3-hour drive for him). Hope he stays awake on the drive. “It’s a grind,” he said. The Stats: He scored 10 points on 5-9 shooting (0-2 from the line) to go with 5 boards, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal and no fouls in 28:32. He was a +9. The Action: He missed a floater. He attacked around his man to the right and scored the layup. He threw down an oop from Brewer on the break. He crossed over and missed an off-balance drive. He missed an elbow pull-up jumper. Second Half: He airballed a jumphook on a drive across the lane. He was fouled on throwdown attempt in transition, he missed both. He knocked a ball loose on help D, then scored a layup on the lob from Brewer. He curled into the lane off ball, took the pass and threw down with both hands. He attacked baseline and threw a pass away. He threw down a follow jam on the break.

World Peace -- -- A lot of minutes tonight for the old man. “It was cool to play. I ain’t played in a while,” Metta said. He sank a three and a wing jumper for his points. He forced a couple of shots, as well. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-5 shooting (1-1 from three) to go with 1 board, 2 turnovers and 1 foul in 17 minutes. He was a -13. The Action: He attacked from the three line and coughed it up. Second Half: Nice feed baseline to a cutting Randle, who would eventually score. He sank a corner three on the Randle kickout. He missed a turnaround in the post. Awful shot selection, forcing up a wing jumper off the dribble with a man on, he missed. Open wing jumper next time down and he swished. He missed a fading wing jumper.

Walton -- -- Ennis into the starting lineup for the sidelined Russell… The Lakers led 14-10 when the timeout came midway through the quarter… Lakers up 7 when Nance sat for Black with 5 minutes left. Good opening quarter by Larry… Nwaba in for Ennis, who played strong on both ends… Brewer in for Ingram, who had a strong quarter… Robinson in for Randle, Lakers up 15… A 17-2 run by the Lakers, no turnovers in the quarter… The Lakers led 31-14 after the first quarter… The run continued, 26-2 to lead 40-14… Some turnovers and the Spurs cut it to 19, so Luke called a timeout… Starters back in with Metta instead of Ingram, Lakers up 19… Nwaba in for Ennis… They started Brewer for Ingram in the second half… The Spurs began reeling the Lakers in… Luke called a timeout up by just 2… Lakers up 5 as we went with the Black, Randle, Metta, Nwaba, Clarkson lineup… JC out for Ennis with 2 minutes left, Lakers up 3… The Lakers led 76-70 heading into the fourth… Black, Robinson, Metta, Nwaba, Ennis to start the quarter… Two shots into the quarter and the score was tied… Metta out for Brewer, Lakers up 6… The Spurs stayed tight, before the Lakers went on an 8-0 run and forced a timeout. Lakers up 11 with 4:35 left. Pop running lame lineups… A 13-2 Spurs run cut it to 5 with a minute left but the Lakers held on…

Pop knew this game itself could have implications for the Spurs vs Lakers in the future and tanked hard. If we lose this pick it could keep the Lakers from gaining a potential star that would be a thorn in the Spurs side for years to come. Pop tanked like he did for Tim Duncan in 97.

He got to rest his starts and can use the loss to light a fire under the asses of his bench scrubs. Win-win for Pop.

He was likely planning on getting his starters rest after the previous night's OT win regardless of outcome, but when the Lakers jumped out to a 31-14 lead and then threw out World Peace to try and keep the tank alive, Pop responded with a healthy dose of somebody named Bryn Forbes.

What is the NBA about these days?
1. The best scorer is traded, and players are shut down in an obvious effort to lose, for a draft pick.
2. Last night POP pulls his starters in an obvious effort to let the Lakers win, and laughs about it with Luke after the game.
3. Resting players is fraud and misrepresentation. If I pay $400 so my son and I can go see CLE and James sits, that is down right fraud. Can you imagine if guns and roses decided to rest their singer? There would be a full scale riot!
4. CLE and GS have 12 "NAME" vets on their roster in addition to their superstars......all other teams have maybe one or two stars and then straight out ballast.
5. Ingram bumps knees with someone and is shut down for the game. I'll tell ya what, this is not the NBA I grew up with, what a bunch of BS. Yes I will still watch it, but only because I hate baseball so much....._________________what sound does it make when you hit the front of the rim?............."Deng!"

Pop knew this game itself could have implications for the Spurs vs Lakers in the future and tanked hard. If we lose this pick it could keep the Lakers from gaining a potential star that would be a thorn in the Spurs side for years to come. Pop tanked like he did for Tim Duncan in 97.

When the Spurs had the 3rd worst campaign... _________________We want Bonga!

What is the NBA about these days?
1. The best scorer is traded, and players are shut down in an obvious effort to lose, for a draft pick.
2. Last night POP pulls his starters in an obvious effort to let the Lakers win, and laughs about it with Luke after the game.
3. Resting players is fraud and misrepresentation. If I pay $400 so my son and I can go see CLE and James sits, that is down right fraud. Can you imagine if guns and roses decided to rest their singer? There would be a full scale riot!
4. CLE and GS have 12 "NAME" vets on their roster in addition to their superstars......all other teams have maybe one or two stars and then straight out ballast.
5. Ingram bumps knees with someone and is shut down for the game. I'll tell ya what, this is not the NBA I grew up with, what a bunch of BS. Yes I will still watch it, but only because I hate baseball so much.....

Yeah man, it is getting really depressing. They need to shorten up the season- 82 games is too many and make loosen up the Free Agency restrictions so the Tanking does not become so necessary.

This is UGLY ball. It can not be good for the NBA. UGLY nasty ball. If I paid good money to see that game, I would be pissed off._________________R.I.P. Doc Buss

What is the NBA about these days?
1. The best scorer is traded, and players are shut down in an obvious effort to lose, for a draft pick.
2. Last night POP pulls his starters in an obvious effort to let the Lakers win, and laughs about it with Luke after the game.
3. Resting players is fraud and misrepresentation. If I pay $400 so my son and I can go see CLE and James sits, that is down right fraud. Can you imagine if guns and roses decided to rest their singer? There would be a full scale riot!
4. CLE and GS have 12 "NAME" vets on their roster in addition to their superstars......all other teams have maybe one or two stars and then straight out ballast.
5. Ingram bumps knees with someone and is shut down for the game. I'll tell ya what, this is not the NBA I grew up with, what a bunch of BS. Yes I will still watch it, but only because I hate baseball so much.....

Yeah man, it is getting really depressing. They need to shorten up the season- 82 games is too many and make loosen up the Free Agency restrictions so the Tanking does not become so necessary.

This is UGLY ball. It can not be good for the NBA. UGLY nasty ball. If I paid good money to see that game, I would be pissed off.

The fans money supports this league. If a player is rested, thats fine, but THEY SHOULD NOT GET PAID!!! How's that for a solution! There is no way Lebron should be paid if he did not play other than injury. The ticket I bought, represents CLE which implies that we will see James in action, i am not paying rediculous prices to see Shumpert!
As far as 82 games being too much, I don't think so. These guys are (bleep) compared to the past. I expect way more out of these players, because their salaries are unbelievable!!! Effing Mosgov got 18 mil for sitting? and the fans support this crap? I don't!_________________what sound does it make when you hit the front of the rim?............."Deng!"

What is the NBA about these days?
1. The best scorer is traded, and players are shut down in an obvious effort to lose, for a draft pick.
2. Last night POP pulls his starters in an obvious effort to let the Lakers win, and laughs about it with Luke after the game.
3. Resting players is fraud and misrepresentation. If I pay $400 so my son and I can go see CLE and James sits, that is down right fraud. Can you imagine if guns and roses decided to rest their singer? There would be a full scale riot!
4. CLE and GS have 12 "NAME" vets on their roster in addition to their superstars......all other teams have maybe one or two stars and then straight out ballast.
5. Ingram bumps knees with someone and is shut down for the game. I'll tell ya what, this is not the NBA I grew up with, what a bunch of BS. Yes I will still watch it, but only because I hate baseball so much.....

Yeah man, it is getting really depressing. They need to shorten up the season- 82 games is too many and make loosen up the Free Agency restrictions so the Tanking does not become so necessary.

This is UGLY ball. It can not be good for the NBA. UGLY nasty ball. If I paid good money to see that game, I would be pissed off.

What is the NBA about these days?
1. The best scorer is traded, and players are shut down in an obvious effort to lose, for a draft pick.
2. Last night POP pulls his starters in an obvious effort to let the Lakers win, and laughs about it with Luke after the game.
3. Resting players is fraud and misrepresentation. If I pay $400 so my son and I can go see CLE and James sits, that is down right fraud. Can you imagine if guns and roses decided to rest their singer? There would be a full scale riot!
4. CLE and GS have 12 "NAME" vets on their roster in addition to their superstars......all other teams have maybe one or two stars and then straight out ballast.
5. Ingram bumps knees with someone and is shut down for the game. I'll tell ya what, this is not the NBA I grew up with, what a bunch of BS. Yes I will still watch it, but only because I hate baseball so much.....

Yeah man, it is getting really depressing. They need to shorten up the season- 82 games is too many and make loosen up the Free Agency restrictions so the Tanking does not become so necessary.

This is UGLY ball. It can not be good for the NBA. UGLY nasty ball. If I paid good money to see that game, I would be pissed off.

So true. So sad.

Hopefully, the TV network contracts will go down that will send a message to their wallets

When attendance goes down, that will send a message to the NBAPA

Some teams are aware of this tragedy. Recent example is was at a recent road game for the Warriors and the team became aware that a father spent a great deal of money to have his kid see the game. The Warriors invited the family after the game to personally meet all the players

Glad you guys agree, Today i am calm lol. I put my rant on Adam Silvers FB page. I am also asking him to award players 4 points on any shot made behind the half court line._________________what sound does it make when you hit the front of the rim?............."Deng!"